"Allow me to introduce them."
"This is the chieftain of our Vichy tribe, Taka."
"This is our High Priestess."
"And this is the strongest warrior of our tribe, Lilimond."
Kakatu introduced the three people beside him to Ur and the others in one breath.
Chieftain Taka was an elder much like Kakatu—white-haired and white-bearded, his beard braided neatly. Yet, unlike his age might suggest, his physique was extraordinarily robust. Muscles knotted across his frame, and he carried an unmistakable air of authority.
The High Priestess of the sacred land of Gulya Glacier, on the other hand, was an exceptionally beautiful middle-aged woman. No trace of time showed on her face, only a poise refined by years. She was full-figured, graceful, and dignified.
As for Gulya's strongest warrior, Lilimond...
Well, how to put it?
He was indeed terrifyingly powerful.
Ur didn't even need to release his magical perception; his strength was obvious at a glance. Lilimond stood nearly three meters tall, a true giant. His arms were thicker than most men's waists. Strapped across his back was a nearly four-meter-long azure ice spear, radiating a chilling aura and a sacred resonance.
Yet in contrast to his monstrous build, his face was gentle. When Kakatu introduced him, he even offered Ur's group an honest, somewhat bashful smile.
After finishing the introductions, Kakatu leaned toward Taka and the others, whispering something under his breath while occasionally glancing at Ur's group, apparently identifying who was who. Though he had surely described them beforehand, this was their first meeting face-to-face.
Before long, after listening to Kakatu, Taka stepped forward.
He performed a peculiar salute and spoke in his native tongue. "Lugi, xiala kaxia heran." ("We welcome our honored guests, and we thank you for the assistance you have brought to our tribe.")
Since Taka did not speak the Common Tongue, Kakatu served as interpreter. After hearing the translation, the group exchanged glances. As usual, Pasfield stepped forward as their "diplomat," responding politely. "There's no need for thanks, Chief Taka. The honor is ours as well."
Taka spoke again, his tone earnest, "I have heard the general situation from Kakatu. However, I do not wish for our guests to enter the Demonic Domain. That is where the Demon God is imprisoned. I do not want you to fall into danger."
His expression carried sincere concern. Clearly, not every member of the Vichy tribe was as shrewd as that old fox Kakatu; there were still many genuinely kind souls among them.
"Chief Taka," Pasfield asked calmly despite the flicker of shock in his eyes, "What exactly is this 'Demon God' you speak of?"
Taka shook his head. "I do not know what it truly is. But it is powerful—very powerful, and extremely dangerous. Our ancestors, under the command of the Snow God, have guarded this temple for generations. Nearly every ten years, the Demon God sends its demons to attack the magic array sealing the temple. For reasons unknown, this time the attack has come early." His words struck Pasfield like cold steel.
The Dori family had existed for a very long time. In their private archives were records of certain secrets. Among them is the existence of gods.
Pasfield took a slow, steadying breath before turning to Kakatu. "Mr. Kakatu, you mentioned earlier that our transaction would be delayed. How long are we speaking of?"
Kakatu hesitated, then answered gravely, "It's difficult to say. Under normal circumstances, it takes at least three months for our warriors to completely repel the demons. The Demon God possesses an endless ability to create them."
Three months?
Pasfield nearly sucked in a sharp breath.
At that rate, other branches of the family might already find another source of Azure Water.
"Is there truly no other solution?" he pressed.
Kakatu gave a bitter smile. "It would be difficult. The Sacred Water originates from the depths of the Demonic Domain. If we cannot repel the Demon God, it is impossible to obtain it.
"You witnessed those creatures' strength last night. Without the power of holiness, ordinary attacks can hardly deal them fatal damage. Our tribe possesses only a limited number of sacred artifacts. Aside from those, only the High Priestess's rituals can bestow holy power upon our warriors… but there is only one High Priestess."
He did not finish his sentence. He didn't need to.
In short, obtaining the Azure Water ahead of schedule was impossible. As for how the Vichy tribe intended to repel those "undying, unfeeling" demons within three months, though neither Kakatu nor Taka said it outright, the answer was obvious.
They would pay in blood.
There was no other way.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
But Ur still had one question that gnawed at him.
"Why not relocate?" he asked plainly. "Even if the Demon God is imprisoned here, that doesn't necessarily mean your tribe must remain."
He did not believe the Vichy people were saints. Over the years, who knew how many of their kin had perished because of this Demon God? Even if there had once been selfless heroes among them, could that idealism truly survive generation after generation?
Ur's question startled Pasfield and the others as well.
All eyes turned to Taka and Kakatu. Under their gazes, Taka let out a long sigh. "Because this is a contract," he said quietly. "A contract between our ancestors and the Snow God."
"Our Vichy tribe has long dwelled in glacial lands. Under such harsh conditions, every so often we would lose many of our people. As our numbers dwindled, our ancestors sought out the God of Snow—and made a bargain."
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